Eight years ago to the day, The Hold Steady took the stage at Music Hall of Williamsburg – then a much-less-luxurious venue called Northsix in a similarly less luxurious (or luxury-condo-fied) Williamsburg – for their first gig. To hear Craig Finn tell it, that the band celebrated their eighth anniversary in the same spot was a happy coincidence. Whether by coincidence or calculation, I suspect that first Music Hall show had a good bit in common with this one. “What’s up, Brooklyn? We’re The Hold Steady, and we’re gonna have a really good time tonight!” was Finn’s opening proclamation, and I would bet his first opening ever was much the same. Because, although their songwriting has grown more expansive, along with their critical acclaim and the size of their fanbase, The Hold Steady has always been one of the world’s greatest bar bands. The band’s appeal is democratic and uncomplicated: penetrating lyrics you can understand (that are also good enough to wow rock critics); crowd-participating, fist-pumping anthems; outstanding musicianship; and a frontman in Finn who appears to be having the best time of anybody there. This second show of two nights at Music Hall was all about momentum. Breaks between songs were almost non-existent; ditto crowd banter. Finn & Co. worked so hard through this nearly 100-minute set, it could have been a Springsteen show. In terms of the setlist, the band’s latest, Heaven Is Whenever, was well-represented along with Stay Positive, but so was the band’s first record, the less-noticed Frenchkiss Records release, Almost Killed Me, including on a beautifully paced encore that began with the pensive “Positive Jam”, followed by “Southtown Girls” (from Boys and Girls in America) and concluding with an extended version of “Most People Are DJs”. Although it was a Monday night, the crowd was fired up and slam dancing, about as sweaty as Finn himself. I would like to think that whoever attended that first Hold Steady gig would have done the same. If not, they should have: The Hold Steady are a hard-working rock band that is damned hard to deny. Show me someone else who can put on this kind of show – and get this kind of response – on a Monday, and I’ll show you rock royalty.

I recorded this set from about halfway to the stage from the left balcony. The mics were aimed directly at the left stack to maximize direct sound, and the results speak for themselves. Check out the streaming songs below, and enjoy!

Stream “Stevie Nix”:

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Stream “Positive Jam”:

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I was at this show, and many others that you’ve recorded, and these are the ultimate gifts to true fans! After the ears stop ringing, and the bruises fade away, I can always relive the night! Thank you!

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